So, the guy in the next stall performed the patented "double flush" earlier today and after observing the water level in my own, presumably similar, porcelain throne, I began to wonder...

It seems to me that the majority of toilet bowels in America contain enough water to fully submerge the average bowel evacuation. If that is the case, and your recent deposit is not so large as to stick out of the water, does a courtesy flush actually serve a purpose? Doesn't the water, at least for the most part, prevent any additional odors from escaping? Certainly there are exceptions like a floater or the runs but I'm thinking more as a general rule.

So, the guy in the next stall performed the patented "double flush" earlier today and after observing the water level in my own, presumably similar, porcelain throne, I began to wonder...

It seems to me that the majority of toilet bowels in America contain enough water to fully submerge the average bowel evacuation. If that is the case, and your recent deposit is not so large as to stick out of the water, does a courtesy flush actually serve a purpose? Doesn't the water, at least for the most part, prevent any additional odors from escaping? Certainly there are exceptions like a floater or the runs but I'm thinking more as a general rule.

after flushing, i'll usually wait a few seconds to see if anything comes back up. If something does, down it goes with a second flush. If not, the next fucker in line better hold his breath.

So, the guy in the next stall performed the patented "double flush" earlier today and after observing the water level in my own, presumably similar, porcelain throne, I began to wonder...

It seems to me that the majority of toilet bowels in America contain enough water to fully submerge the average bowel evacuation. If that is the case, and your recent deposit is not so large as to stick out of the water, does a courtesy flush actually serve a purpose? Doesn't the water, at least for the most part, prevent any additional odors from escaping? Certainly there are exceptions like a floater or the runs but I'm thinking more as a general rule.

I don't know if its West East Coast thing. But we only do Courtesy Flushes during our bathroom visit if the odor during the process requires it. Don't want the poor next door to pass out now do we? As a general rule, after the busniess is done, we single flush. Now there is the case when it is not completely flushed out. Which warrents a second. But as a general rule after you're done, once is enough. Perhaps you should have made this a poll?

I think that rather than covering smells the water may help to distribute smells from certain volatile liquids and gases that may become dissolved in the toilet water. I myself have layed down some pipe that required a courtesy flush for my own protection.